Ghana Maritime Archaeology Project: 2013 Field Season in Review

Summary

In the spring of 2013, an international team of archaeologists led by Syracuse University archaeologist Rachel Horlings arrived in Ghana, West Africa to investigate the maritime heritage of the Elmina and Cape Coast regions. This was the most recent effort at conducting archaeological research as part of the Central Region Project, which has resulted in the discovery of several significant archaeological sites, both on land and underwater. The water off Elmina and Cape Coast Castles were chosen for this season’s work because of their historical involvement in Atlantic trade. Two goals developed for the field season: first, to monitor known sites surrounding Elmina Castle, and, second, to complete a remote sensing survey offshore of Cape Coast Castle and explore identified anomalies. This paper will describe the continued examination of known sites off Elmina Castle and detail the previously undiscovered sites off Cape Coast Castle. It will also suggest avenues for future research into the rich maritime history of Ghana.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014   •
• Maritime Archaeology Project Updates from Around the World

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-40,05